A report suggests that Liverpool would lose their spot at the top of the Premier League in a scenario without VAR.
Arne Slot’s side would drop to 55 points, one behind Arsenal, who would gain six extra points to take the lead.
VAR has influenced five of Arsenal’s games, with three decisions denying them victories—though all were deemed correct.
Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth would complete the top four, with Forest staying on 47 points while the Cherries would gain five points, reaching 45.
The rest of the top half would include Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brighton, and Manchester United. Ruben Amorim’s team would climb four points and three places, according to The Sun’s calculations.
In the relegation zone, the three newly promoted teams would remain there, but Ipswich would gain an extra point, overtaking Leicester for 18th place.
Newcastle is reported to have benefited most from VAR, with 10 decisions in their favor and only two against.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have gained a single point due to VAR, thanks to Mohamed Salah converting a penalty following a handball decision against Matthijs de Ligt in their 2-2 draw in January.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been vocal about VAR decisions, previously calling it an “absolute disgrace” after it failed to disallow Anthony Gordon’s goal in Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Arsenal in November 2023—remarks that led to an FA charge.
This season, VAR has correctly ruled out Arsenal victories against Chelsea, Fulham, and Aston Villa.
In November, Kai Havertz’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea was disallowed for offside after he appeared to shush fans in celebration.
In December, Gabriel Martinelli was ruled offside in the build-up to what could have been Bukayo Saka’s winner against Fulham, prompting Paul Merson to criticize him as “criminal” for straying off.
In January, Mikel Merino’s goal was disallowed after deflecting off Havertz’s arm.
Bournemouth fans would have plenty to celebrate in a VAR-free world, as they would move into the Champions League spots, enhancing their already exciting season.
Howard Webb admitted that Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara had a late winner against Newcastle wrongly ruled out for handball in August.
“The VAR looked at it and decided, in his professional opinion, that it hit the area of the arm that must be penalized, below the armpit,” Webb explained, but added, “I don’t think that’s conclusive enough to intervene.”
Premier League Table Without VAR
1. Arsenal – 56 points
2. Liverpool – 55 points
3. Nottingham Forest – 47 points
4. Bournemouth – 45 points
5. Chelsea – 39 points
6. Manchester City – 39 points
7. Newcastle – 37 points
8. Aston Villa – 37 points
9. Brighton – 34 points
10. Manchester United – 33 points
11. Fulham – 32 points
12. Crystal Palace – 30 points
13. Brentford – 29 points
14. Tottenham – 28 points
15. Everton – 27 points
16. West Ham – 24 points
17. Wolves – 20 points
18. Ipswich – 17 points
19. Leicester – 17 points
20. Southampton – 9 points